Publication Date:
2014-05-25
Description:
Nearly three decades of stable isotope ratios and surface mass balance (SMB) data from eight shallow firn cores retrieved at Fimbul Ice Shelf, East Antarctica, in the Austral summers 2009–2011 have been investigated. An additional longer core drilled in 2000/01 extends the series back to the early 18 th century. Isotope ratios and SMB from the stacked record of all cores were also related to instrumental temperature data from Neumayer Station on Ekström Ice Shelf. Since the second half of the 20 th century, the SMB shows a statistically significant negative trend, whereas a significant positive trend is seen in the δ 18 O of the cores. No trend is found in air temperature at the nearest suitable weather station, Neumayer (avaiblabe since 1981). This does not correspond to the statistically significant positive trend in SAM index, which is usually associated with a cooling of East Antarctica. SAM index and SMB are negatively correlated, which might be explained by a decrease in meridional exchange of energy and moisture leading to lower precipitation amounts. Future monitoring of climate change on the sensitive Antarctic ice shelves is necessary to assess its consequences for sea level change.
Print ISSN:
0148-0227
Topics:
Geosciences
,
Physics
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